Category: Beauty

So I got sent the most amazing press drop last week from Schwarzkopf filled with all the new products they shared with us as their event a few weeks ago.

Just check out how amazing it looks:

Here are some pictures from the event and launch of these amazing products, which was held at the One and Only Hotel.

I’ve always thought of the brand Schwarzkopf as the brand my mommy uses, and with them being in business for 120 years, that’s probably true. But with their newer products they’re specifically trying to target the 20 Something audience, bringing products to the market that are game changers, no matter what your age is.

For the past week I’ve been testing out their Gliss Intense Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner on my hair. The product is aimed at reconstructing the inner hair bonds and protecting the hair, it works especially well for over processed hair due to coloring and styling. The Gliss intense Therapy works at repairing the bonds inside the hair and reconstructing it from deep within. It promises visibly revitalized locks and more resilience against future damage.

Review time:

My first impression of the product was packaging and scent. The purple bottles make them instantly recognizable on the shelves of any store, and they’re super cute. When I sniffed the scent from the bottle I enjoyed the smell, however when I started using the product on my hair I found the smell to be extremely overpowering and fragranced. It smelt like I was applying a bottle of perfume to my hair. (I prefer natural scents in my hair care products, my sinuses can’t deal with overpowering smells.) The scent of the product during application smelt like a perfume my mom would use – not a fan. However once my hair dried the scent is not as strong and overpowering and it actually settles quite nicely, every time I get a whiff of my hair I’m like, “damn I smell good.”

I really liked what this product has done for my hair, my curls feel incredibly soft and I’ve experienced less breakage since I’ve started using this product. Check out the before and after pics:

My only concern is that is doesn’t do much to minimize frizz, and as a curly haired babe, that’s a must in a shampoo for me. This product is great if you’re someone who styles their hair a lot using heat, if you’re a natural hair goddess, this probably isn’t for you.

What’s up 20 Somethings!

Now if you’ve been following my blog from its developing stages, one of the first beauty products and brands I was sent to Review was the Environ Original Range. Since then I’ve been in love with their products and do whatever I can to get my hands on them.

So it was only natural that I did a little dance when Beauty Bulletin called me to let me know I’d be a part of their new Environ Campaign!

The range they sent me consisted of two products: The Revival Masque and the Hydrating Oil Capsules. It was love at first use for me. Immediately after my first application I felt an improvement in my skin- but I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me tell you about the products first.

The Revival Masque:

This innovative Masque contains alpha Hydroxy acids which help exfoliate the upper most layer of the skin leaving you with fresher looking skin that looks and feels revived and smooth. Over time this product will help the skin feel more hydrated and firmer. This product is aimed at keeping your skin looking youthful- let’s face it, you’re never too young to use anti-aging products. Prevention is better than cure.

The packaging is super sleek and innovative, with a pump dispenser your product is as good as new no matter how many times you use it. It’s a “no mess no fuss” application, just grab the brush that accompanies the product, pump the dispenser and apply the Masque! I’m obsessed.

The Hydrating Oil Capsules:

These capsules contain a blend of retinol and antioxidants to protect the skin from the damaging affect of free radicals leaving the skin looking radiant and silky smooth.

The container contains capsules, which you can use twice a week. Guys, I wish I could upload the feeling the content of these capsules give your skin. It’s mind blowing.

Okay! Review Time!

The ingredients in the Masque are extremely strong and active, so on my first application I experienced a tingling sensation. The pamphlet within the box suggested starting out with only 10 mins before washing off, gradually as your skin gets more used to the product it can be worn for up to 20 mins or even as an over-night Masque.

Even after my first application my skin looked revived and radiant. The Masque applies easily and you don’t need much to spread over your entire face and neck. I actually had to tell myself to stop because it felt so good to apply, I just kept going. I’ve only been using the product twice a week for 4 weeks, and I’m sure with continued use this product will do wonders for my skin and aging prevention.

The Hydrating Oil Capsules are a gift from the heavens. Each application is in its own little capsule to ensure that the oil is in optimum condition for application. Just twist off the tip or cut it off and apply it generously all over your face then rub it in and feel the magic. Now I must warn you, once you’ve applied this product you will not be able to stop touching your face! It’s amazing. The oil is absorbed into the skin leaving it feeling extremely silky soft instead of oily. This feeling lasts all day and the next. These oil capsules are a game changer, I’ll definitely be repurchasing them in the future.

The revival Masque retails for R1020 and the Hydrating Oil Capsules(30 pack) retail at R730 – so it’s a bit on the pricey side of life. I know I can’t afford to be buying these products every single month. But they are worth it guys. And they last quite a while as they do not need to be applied every single day for you to get results. Add them to your Christmas list, ask your rich single auntie to hook you up or start an Environ savings fund- just do what you need to do to experience this product.

Like, with prices this high, I can’t afford to lie to you about this, so trust me. These products worked wonders for my skin and I’m sure they’ll do the same for you.

I hope you’re all doing well and have dealt with the fact that it’s November already!! I mean, where did this year go even?!

I’ve been pretty busy my side, I just started a new job so that’s been distracting me from blogging duties, but never fear, I have been testing out a few products in my spare time to review for you guys.

One of the products I’ve been testing is the Derma Hydrate Gentle Cleansing Bar. Derma Hydrate is a completely new brand on the block and is revolutionising the way we think of soaps. What makes it so special you ask?

Well for starters, it offers effective cleansing without the harshness of soap, as it is 100% soap free!

It’s also:

Formulated for Dry, dehydrated and compromised skin types.

Dermatologist Tested

Contains no artificial colourants

Cruelty Free!

Has the ideal pH level of 5.5

Colour Free

Vitamin E enriched

It sounds like a dream for someone with dry or sensitive skin. Because it is soap free it can be used everywhere, body, face, you name it. I have very dry skin, especially this time of year and I was very interested to try out this product and see what it would do for me.

I used the Derma Hydrate Cleansing Bar on my body for a week an noticed an immediate difference in my skin. It didn’t have the tightness I usually experience with soaps and my skin felt a lot more nourished and hydrated. After one week the texture and look of my skin was amazing. Places where I had cracked, dry skin were looking and feeling great. I wish I had taken before and after pictures to show you the amazing change this cleansing bar has made on my skin.

The only thing I didn’t enjoy about this soap was that it’s fragrance free. It smells like nothing- which is an annoying smell I’ve found. I wish they had added some natural fragrant ingredients just to make the bar a bit more pleasant.

But apart from the fragrance, or lack thereof, it’s a great product and if you suffer from dry or sensitive skin, this may be the cleansing product you’ve been waiting for.

Remember to follow us on Instagram to keep up to date with all our current trials and reviews.

I’ve got a very loyal relationship with tissue oil; I believe that it is a vital part of a 20 Something’s beauty Regime. Like, prevention is better than cure, babes.

Most people use tissue oil for stretch marks; preventing them or getting rid of them. That’s Justine Tissue Oil’s claim to fame: that it can get rid of stretch marks in a matter of weeks. In fact, this miracle tissue oil promises to:

• Banish scars and stretch marks twice as fast as other tissue oils

• Protect the skin against sun damage

• Help the skin look younger in under a week

• Improve skin texture

• Reduce lines and wrinkles

I’m lucky enough to not have any stretch marks yet, besides a few small ones here and there. But I do have a rare skin problem, which causes uneven skin in the affected areas. I also have extremely dry skin, so I was hoping that this tissue oil could help me eradicate these two concerns.

I found that after 3 or 4 weeks of using this product, my skin is sufficiently softer and smoother. My driest skin areas look a lot better and feel amazing now. So yay!

Unfortunately, This tissue oil did not do much for my pigmentation issue caused by my skin problem, which is to be expected- I’ve seen dermatologists in every corner of the city and no one has been able to tell me what causes this issue or how to cure it. So I was really hoping for a miracle with this tissue oil.

Although I didn’t get my own desired results, I have seen this product work for a lot of other people, so I wouldn’t write it off based off my assessment. It might be the miracle product you’ve been waiting for.

I’ve been using Justine products for the past two months now and the brand has really impressed me. Even though it didn’t change the appearance of my uneven skin tone, my skin feels amazing. And it has really helped to get rid of small scars I have on various parts of my body. The Justine brand is beyond amazing,

Have you tried any of their products? Let me know in the comments section.

Special shout out to Rubybox for the hookup and Dexter Williams for proofreading like a boss.

I felt super spoilt this week, when Rubybox sent me this amazing range from Justine. The Dailycare Hydrating Range is formulated for dry skin types and is a 3 step daily regimen.

Justine has really gone all out with the Dailycare range, they have formulated different ranges depending on your skincare needs. The Dailycare products includes ranges forHydrating, Perfecting and Balancing the skin. As I have dry skin, I was sent the Hydrating range.

It’s clinically proven to increase hydration in the skin after one use for up to 8 hours.

I’ve been using this product for two weeks now and I can see the difference in my skin already.

The cleanser leaves my skin looking brighter immediately after I’ve washed it – it doesn’t make my skin feel dry, instead it feels so refreshed that I feel like I could just use the cleanser and go on with my day.

I’m not usually a fan of toners, but this one is quite nice- it’s a gel toner which is different to the toning liquids and lotions available on the market. It’s formulated to retain the skin’s natural moisture. Personally I feel that while it succeeds in removing excess dirt and bacteria on my skin, it leaves my skin feeling tight and in need of the moisturiser.

The Moisturiser is my favourite in the range, it has SPF 20, to protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays but besides that it leaves my skin feeling EXTREMELY hydrated for hours. Literally it feels like I’ve just applied it even hours later.

I wasn’t familiar with this brand until I received this range, I haven’t seen it in any retail stores, I think it works like Avon, where you need to order products from a consultant. You can check out their website, it explains in depth how you can go about getting your hands on these amazing products:Justine Website

Check out my skin’s natural glow after two weeks of using this product:

And the best part? The range won’t break your bank. The Cleanser and the Toner go for R79 each and the moisturiser is R159. That’s R317 for the whole range!!!!!!!!!!

Have you used the Justine brand before? Let me know what your favourite products are in the comments.

So I know I’ve been very quiet lately, but life has been so insane. I got back from my trip two weeks ago and then moved out of my parents house and into my own flat a week later, so things have been a little on the crazy side. I’ll be writing a post about my moving experience soon! But today, I’m talking about what you come to 20somethingsomethings.com for: PRODUCTS.

The day I arrived, I found a beautifully wrapped package waiting for me, The lovely ladies at Dove and Rubybox sent me an amazing Dove hamper, including two new products to review: The Dove Nutritive Solutions Intensive Repair Shampoo & Conditioner.

Now I know I post about a lot of hair care products and swear everyone is a game changer, but this one really is. In the past with products I’ve reviewed, the effects of the shampoo and conditioner wore off after the third day of not washing my hair. This Dove product, leaves my hair looking and feeling amazing days after it’s been washed. Each curl is defined and looks nourished and healthy. I’ve also experienced less hair loss and breakage since I started using this product, my hair feels much stronger than it did before I started using it.

What makes it different?

This shampoo and conditioner duo nourishes your hair deep into the hair fibre and repairs the hair leaving it stronger and healthier while also tackling external damage on your hair.

So today I want to share with you two vital items in my make up bag; my MVP mascaras.

Why have two mascaras, you ask? Well, because a girl needs options. And these two products give me a range of looks in seconds.

Here’s what my eyebrows look like without Mascara:

Sorbet Way Out Lashes

Great for: Everyday Eyelash looks.

The reason I love this mascara is it gives me length for days! It separates each lash individually and gives it amazing definition. It works with micro-fibers which give your lashes the length. It’s also super light on my lashes which gives me an amazing natural lash look. And the best part is, that it lasts all day.

Rimmel Scandleyes Reloaded Mascara

Great for: Dramatic Lashes.

If you’re someone who likes wearing fake lashes or eyelash extensions, this is the one for you. It delivers volume and when I say volume, I mean VOLUME. Thick, long lashes literally with the swish of your mascara wand. Apply one coat for an everyday look and two or three coats for mega lashes.

So those are my two MVP mascaras, what are the mascara products you cannot live without? Let me know in the comments!

So I’ve had a lot of people ask me how I get my make up to stay put, despite sweating while I’m on stage or wearing it for hours on end. Well, my secret is simple: setting powder and lots of setting spray.

Essence Stay All Day Translucent Fixing Powder:

I’ve used a lot of setting powders in the past, and some brands can cost between R400 and R500 for a setting powder. (ridiculous right?!) I used to pay this price until I discovered the Essence Stay All Day powder: available in compact or loose powder form. There’s nothing special about this product, I mean a setting powder is a setting powder. But why pay more when you can pay literally R64,95 for the compact powder (called “all about matte”) and R72,95 for the Stay All day Translucent fixing powder.

How I use it?

I use the fixing powder to bake my concealer especially under the eye to avoid those annoying lines that form after a few hours and around any other problem areas on my face (smile lines, T-section etc.) it can be applied using a kabuki brush of your choice.

Setting powder is great if you have a sweaty face like me- like legit if I’m hot, my face will tell you first. And it helps keep my make up on fleek while I’m performing as well. #grateful

NYX Matte Finishing Spray

If you have just one thing in your make up bag, let it be finishing spray, I never knew how much I needed this product till I started using it.

I use it when my make up is complete, four sprays to my face and I’m ready to go. I focus on each quarter of my face for each spray. I mean you could get away with one spray- but life is about excess.

Just make sure your mascara and liquid liner have dried before spraying this because it will leave mascara smudges if you do it before your mascara is ready.

For the affordable price of 164,95 it’s an easy addition to any make up bag!

Well those are the setting products I can’t live without? What brands are your fave? Let me know in the comments!

So I’ve decided to start a new blog series called “In My Make-Up Bag” where I will be writing about the make up items I cannot live without and go with me everywhere.

This week, I want to tell you about my favourite eyeliner duo. My Avon True colour liner in Blackest Black and my Essence Liquid Ink waterproof liner. These two liners complete every single make up look I do- I simply cannot live without it.

Avon True

This liner I stumbled on when my mom’s friend gave me the make up she wasn’t using anymore, before I had never used Avon products. This one blew me away and when I finished my first one, I was desperate to replace it.

Why do I love it, you ask? Well, for starters the colour is out of this world, there’s no need to apply more than once and it lasts all day and all night – re-applications are a thing of the past. It doesn’t smudge or create black lines under my eyes like other liners have done in the past. I love it.

It’s great as an alternative to eye pencil users, it doesn’t need to be sharpened and it never fails to impress.

Essence Liquid Ink

I’ve been using this for years and have never changed to an alternative liquid liner. It’s affordable and most importantly – Waterproof. It’s application brush is extremely thin and flexible which overs a precise line for wined eyeliner looks.

As I am a performer, I needed a liner that wouldn’t smudge with sweat or run during a performance- and this one certainly lasts as long as I need it.

So the lovely ladies at Rubybox sent me the new Nice ‘n Easy hair dye to try out. I picked the shade Light Auburn, as I like my hair (which is naturally very dark) to have a reddish tone to it.

Check out my video review here:

This product is armed with a new formula that does not damage your hair. Which sounds too good to be true- because DIY hair dyes are infamous for causing hair damage. But the new Nice ‘n Easy formula has conditioners IN EVERY STEP- so no matter where you are in the process, you can rest assured your hair is being cared for.

They’ve also gone out of their way to ensure their product is allergy safe and that it provides 100% grey coverage for all my over 20 Somethings out there!

First Impression:

The packaging is beautiful, the bottles are decorated with a floral pattern and it’s clear a lot of time went into this design.

It smells amazing- I’ve never used a dye that smells this good. It’s better than any shampoo I’ve used.

Application:

Application is quick and easy, thanks to the squeeze nozzle on the application bottle. Though they’ve made an effort to create a sweet smelling dye, it is still hair dye and the typical hair dye smell does come through but it’s complimented with floral tones so it’s not overbearing.

It’s recommended to be left in for 25 mins. I usually like to add on an extra ten minutes to the recommended time- due to my dark hair.

The conditioner is amazing- after just two minutes my hair felt smooth and conditioned and was super easy to comb through afterwards- plus it doesn’t leave you with that “after-dye” hair smell.

The box promises a “non- drip application” – I did find that I did mess quite a lot while applying. But once the product is in your hair, it doesn’t drip.

The Verdict:

I’m very impressed with this product. This is my first time using Nice ‘N Easy- my hair doesn’t even feel like it’s been dyed because it’s looking and feeling so healthy after my application.

Before and After: See how it got through to my dark roots?

The colour didn’t achieve exactly what I was hoping for, but I think that was just my mistake when choosing. Next time I’ll choose a lighter shade, which will have a better impact on my naturally dark hair. This product wins at smelling like a dream. And I will definitely be using it again in future.